In the late 1920s, rumors surfaced that Marsh was running his church, like many cult leaders, as a front for other crimes, including smuggling, forced conversions, and even murder. However, instead of arresting the leaders of the cult and those who had perpetrated crimes, agents of the U.S. Treasury and the Justice Department swept into Innsmouth in February of 1928 and arrested everyone in town.

No trials or hearings were held for anyone, but almost everyone was incarcerated for the rest of their lives, either in mental institutions or maximum securityprisons. All property, both real estate and personal effects, was seized by the government; none of it has ever been returned. Even today, after government officials have publicly apologized for racial crimes and inequities from decades past, the United States government still refuses to apologize or even acknowledge the crimes committed against the citizens of Innsmouth.

The message is loud and clear: the government does not believe that the First Amendment applies to everyone -- just to the most powerful religions. It's only a matter of time before they stage another crackdown on another minority religion -- maybe Wiccans, maybe atheists, maybe Seventh Day Adventists...